The pre-application period began Monday for the 2020 Michelson Prizes for Human Immunology and Vaccine Research, which provide grants to young scientists using innovative research methods to help combat major diseases.
The $150,000 prizes, funded by pioneering Los Angeles spinal surgeon Dr. Gary Michelson, are given to scientists aged 35 or younger “and focus on transformative research in human immunology with trans-disease applications to accelerate vaccine and immunotherapeutic discovery.”
Contest officials said the judges will be looking for research designed at addressing “roadblocks” in the development of vaccines. Although the prizes are focused on the fields of human immunology and vaccine development, organizers urged researchers in disciplines such as clinical research, biomedicine, bioengineering, artificial intelligence and nanotechnology to apply.
“The prizes give young scientists the freedom to think outside of the box and explore disruptive technologies,” said Michelson, whose Michelson Medical Research Foundation sponsors the prizes along with the Human Vaccines Project.
“Our collaboration with the Human Vaccines Project in establishing the Michelson Prizes will help unravel the complexity of the human immune system to accelerate development of vaccines and therapies for some of the world’s most threatening diseases,” he said.
The pre-application period runs through Oct. 31. Pre-applicants deemed worthy will be notified in late December and asked to submit a full application. The prizes will be awarded in June 2020.
Pre-applications can be submitted on the Human Vaccines Project website at www.humanvaccinesproject.org.